Last night, my old 478 computer was running fine, yet it got a BSOD, followed by random restarts. I thought of it as nothing, because as soon as I pulled out the power cord, waited 5min and put it back in, it ran fine.

This morning, the computer started up and when it got to desktop, there was display corruption EVERYWHERE. Just like when a graphics cards memory has fried.

I decided to open the computer up, and I realised that the northbridge heatsink's retention bracket had snapped off, and the northbridge heatsink was NOT on the northbridge. There was no burnt smell, yet the northbridge is slightly brown.

Now, after re-attaching the heatsink and starting the computer up it does one of two things. Most of the time, it just doesnt POST. When it does POST, it gets to the intel logo screen (absolutely covered in artifacts) and does not proceed any further.

I'm pretty sure the northbridge (and hence motherboard) is gone. It is using ONBOARD graphics (no graphics card), which is why there is corruption everywhere.

I'm just posting for your confirmation that its the motherboard, as I can't test the parts and don't want to go buying parts as a waste of money .

Last night, my old 478 computer was running fine, yet it got a BSOD, followed by random restarts. I thought of it as nothing, because as soon as I pulled out the power cord, waited 5min and put it back in, it ran fine.

This morning, the computer started up and when it got to desktop, there was display corruption EVERYWHERE. Just like when a graphics cards memory has fried.

I decided to open the computer up, and I realised that the northbridge heatsink's retention bracket had snapped off, and the northbridge heatsink was NOT on the northbridge. There was no burnt smell, yet the northbridge is slightly brown.

Now, after re-attaching the heatsink and starting the computer up it does one of two things. Most of the time, it just doesnt POST. When it does POST, it gets to the intel logo screen (absolutely covered in artifacts) and does not proceed any further.

I'm pretty sure the northbridge (and hence motherboard) is gone. It is using ONBOARD graphics (no graphics card), which is why there is corruption everywhere.

I'm just posting for your confirmation that its the motherboard, as I can't test the parts and don't want to go buying parts as a waste of money .

Thanks,
Pinchy

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i had similar problem.. with artifacts. my vga memory was fried so i bought a new one and now is all fine. i think that your integrated vga (that it on northbridge) is fried. borrow a vga from friend and try it out. but, dont put 3.3v one! only 1.5V or 0.8V . if there is still artifacts its your mbo. and try another PSU if u can. i hope i have helped a little bit.

i had similar problem.. with artifacts. my vga memory was fried so i bought a new one and now is all fine. i think that your integrated vga (that it on northbridge) is fried. borrow a vga from friend and try it out. but, dont put 3.3v one! only 1.5V or 0.8V . if there is still artifacts its your mbo. and try another PSU if u can. i hope i have helped a little bit.

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I'll try and get an AGP graphics card soon. Its just strange because its not just artifacts; the computer does not boot up anymore. I'm not sure if that can be caused from a faulty VGA or not...

Yeah thats what i'm going to do once I can confirm the mobo is dead. The only problem is that its a custom computer; the motherboard was built for the case which was built for the power supply.

But still, I have been going through some prices, and a whole new comp shouldnt cost me all that much (probably around ~$100 for a c2d/800mhz ram/new case, power supply and motherboard/new graphics - after I sell the working parts )

new rig i have looked in your sistem spec, do u realy need a new PC
look at mine

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I was thinking about it, and came up with this:

The computer is an abit digidice, so I can't just get a replacement motherboard (Its not around anymore, and even if I could get a used one, it would be from the USA, which would cost a LOT to ship ). So, I will need to get an entirely new motherboard, with a new case and new power supply. I'd get another barebones PC, simply due to the location that it is in, and how a normal sized case wouldnt do.

theres always stuff being sold for cheaper than it is where you find it but then its more unreliable but good luck on your new build and hope to see you post in the for sale section a bit. kinda of sucks the motherboards gone SCRAP IT make it into like a keychair or something hang it on a wall LOL

kinda of sucks the motherboards gone SCRAP IT make it into like a keychair or something hang it on a wall LOL

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LMFAO!

I'll list everything in the BST forum before ebay, but I highly doubt anyone would be interested (Prices in USA are waaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than here in Australia, especially when shipping comes into play).

excuseee you. if he wants something he'll make a new thread don't post it up here! its general area not free wide i want to sell my stuff wherever i want!

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Is that directed to me? If so keep in mind, I can offer my stuff to anyone I want. I do not have to offer it in a general sale if I don't want to. It's a nice mobo for a deserving person, at a great price (seeing as I no longer need it).

Man... Thats ruff... I know the feeling... My father fried my first built computer by playing rollercoaster Tycoon 4... But, with all bad, it only ends up good and great... Good luck and hope you can get something going fast